Tensile Testing of Metals MT101/L1/01

Title: Tensile Testing of Metals

Objective: To determine the tensile strength of metals

Introduction:
Tensile testing is one of the most fundamental tests for engineering, and provides
valuable information about a material and its associated properties. These properties can be
used for design and analysis of engineering structures, and for developing new materials that
better suit a specified use.
The tensile testing is carried out by applying longitudinal or axial load at a specific
extension rate to a standard tensile specimen with known dimensions (gauge length and cross
sectional area perpendicular to the load direction) till failure. The applied tensile load and
extension are recorded during the test for the calculation of stress and strain. During this testing
material undergoes both elastic and plastic deformation. At initial stages of the testing the
length of the specimen would increase; however if the applied load is removed the length of
the specimen will return to its original value, which indicates that the material is behaving
elastically. If the load is applied continuously without a disturbance the specimen would
undergo plastic deformation beyond a characteristic point known as the yield point. Afterward
the specimen would continue to undergo plastic deformation until failure. These behaviors can
be represented in a stress strain plot for the study of materials properties.

Figure 1: Metallic specimen used for the tensile test

A- Length of reduced section
D- Diameter
G- Gage length
R- Radius of fillet

Stress and the strain of the specimen can be calculated using following equations.

= =

F- Applied load
A0- Initial cross sectional area
L- Elongation of the specimen after the test
L0- Initial gauge length

MT101: Engineering Materials 1

Tensile Testing of Metals MT101/L1/01

Figure 2: Stress-Strain behavior of the specimen

Methodology:
A sample of medium carbon steel will be tested by using a manual Tensile-Testing Machine.
Horizontally fixed sample is subjected to a uniaxial tensile force with a testing speed of about
20mm/min. The force acting on the sample and the extension will be measured and recorded
in the machine. The following parameters are determined by using the stress-strain diagram.
a) Young's Modulus
b) Upper- and lower yield stress
c) The ultimate tensile strength (UTS)
The percentage elongation and percentage reduction in area after fracture are determined using
the respective gauges.

Discussion:
The changes of macroscopic features of the specimen during the test.
The similarities and differences in the stress-strain curves of steel, aluminum, glass, and
rubber specimens.
The important of these tests in engineering applications.

MT101: Engineering Materials 2